ESPN-backed Bellator bolsters lineup with five exclusive signings

Just five weeks away from its debut on ESPN Deportes, Bellator Fighting Championships has confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) five additional exclusive signings for its eight-man tournaments.

Bellator, an upstart organization that will become the first-ever MMA promotion to air on an ESPN channel, will run eight-man tournaments in four different weight classes over a 12-week span.

Morales (5-1), a former Cage of Fire lightweight champion, turned pro in 2006. The former Lion’s Den fighter is now based out of Mexico with the Pitbull Gym. Four of his five career victories have come via stoppage.

De La Cruz (3-1), a former middleweight dropping to welterweight with Bellator, is a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. The medical student is widely regarded as the Domincan Republic’s top fighter, and his only career loss came via split decision.

Ortiz (15-4), a top Mexican fighter who will drop from middleweight to welterweight, is 7-1 since a loss to Eugene Jackson in his lone Strikeforce appearance. “The Naked Man” has posted stoppages in 12 of his 15 career victories. Not one to shy away from tough competition, he’s previously defeated “The Ultimate Fighter” alumns Price Mclean and Jason Guida, and his few losses have to the likes of Jon Fitch, Joey Villasenor and Jesse Taylor.

Payan (6-1), a former staff sergeant in the U.S. military with three tours of duty in Iraq, recently won the Rage in the Cage welterweight title. The Arizona Combat Sports fighter turned pro in October 2007 and drops to featherweight after previously competing as a welterweight and lightweight.

Palomino (9-4), born in Peru, is a former boxer praised for his punching power and solid jiu-jitsu skills. A protege of former UFC heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Palomino captured the U.S. Fight League lightweight title in 2008, a year in which he went 3-1. He’ll fight at 145 pounds with Bellator.

Bellator will air in two-hour timeslots on each Saturday night on ESPN Deportes. The shows air on a one-day tape delay; the actual events will take place in casinos and arenas around the U.S. in front of live crowds on Friday nights.

The organization is expected to release its full fight calendar in the coming weeks.

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